Inshore Fishing Charter in Apalachicola
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Captain Bruce offers lastminute inshore fishing charters for six guestsTarget species include speckled trout, redfish, tarpon, and pompanoAdventure Coast Boat Rentals provides guided fishing expeditions in Apalachicola
Captain Bruce knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's got open spots waiting for anglers who want to get on the fish without all the advance planning. This last-minute charter opportunity in Apalachicola puts you right where the action happens – shallow flats, grass beds, and structure where inshore species love to hang out. You'll fish the same productive waters that local guides have been working for decades, targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most sought-after gamefish. With room for up to six anglers, it's perfect whether you're flying solo, bringing the family, or getting the crew together for a day of serious fishing.
Captain Bruce runs a no-nonsense operation focused on putting fish in the boat. You'll launch early and head straight to the productive zones where speckled trout, redfish, and other inshore favorites feed actively. The pace stays steady but relaxed – there's time to learn techniques, switch up baits, and really dial in your approach. This isn't a rushed cattle-boat experience where you're shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers. With six anglers max, everyone gets plenty of room to fish comfortably and individual attention when they need it. The captain reads conditions in real-time, adjusting spots and tactics based on tides, weather, and what the fish are telling him. Some days that means working the grass flats with live shrimp, other times it's throwing artificials along drop-offs and structure.
You'll fish with quality spinning gear matched to the target species and conditions. Captain Bruce keeps rods rigged and ready, switching between live bait presentations and artificial lures depending on what's working best. The boat stays positioned using trolling motor and Power Pole, letting you make precise casts to productive water without spooking fish. Techniques range from drifting live shrimp under popping corks to working soft plastics along grass edges and oyster bars. When the bite gets hot, you might find yourself sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water or working topwater plugs over trout schools. The captain calls the shots on where to fish and what methods to use, but he's always willing to explain the why behind his decisions. Tackle, bait, and ice come included – you just need to bring your fishing license, drinks, snacks, and whatever sun protection keeps you comfortable.
Tarpon fishing here is world-class, especially during the warmer months when these silver kings roll through the area in impressive numbers. These fish range from juvenile tarpon in the 20-50 pound class that fight like freight trains, all the way up to mature fish pushing triple digits. What makes tarpon so special is their aerial show – once hooked, they'll jump repeatedly, gill-rattling and throwing spray everywhere as they try to shake the hook. The season peaks from late spring through early fall, with the best action often happening on the edges of deeper channels where tarpon ambush baitfish.
Sea trout, locally called speckled trout, are the bread-and-butter species that keep action consistent throughout the trip. These spotted beauties average 14-18 inches but can stretch past the 20-inch mark when conditions align. They school up over grass beds and sandy potholes, feeding aggressively on shrimp, pinfish, and mullet. Specks hit both live bait and artificials with equal enthusiasm, making them perfect for anglers still learning the ropes. The bite stays strong most of the year, with fish holding in deeper water during winter months and spreading across the flats when it warms up.
Tripletail are one of the more unique catches you'll encounter, often found floating near structure like channel markers, crab trap buoys, or debris lines. These odd-looking fish hover motionless on their sides, mimicking floating leaves until prey gets within striking distance. They're ambush predators with serious pulling power, and hooking one always feels like a bonus. Tripletail fishing requires patience and accurate casting – you'll spot the fish first, then present your bait or lure close enough to trigger a strike without spooking them.
Red snapper opportunities depend on state regulations and seasons, but when they're open, these bottom-dwelling fighters provide non-stop action. Snapper hit hard and pull steady, testing your drag and technique. They school up around reefs, wrecks, and hard bottom areas, competing aggressively for food. A good snapper bite means constant action and a cooler full of top-quality table fare.
Florida pompano are the premium eating fish that every angler hopes to encounter. These silver bullets prefer sandy bottom areas where they root around for crabs, sand fleas, and small shellfish. Pompano are notorious for their finicky feeding habits – when they're biting, it's fast and furious, but they can disappear as quickly as they showed up. They fight with surprising strength for their size and are considered by many to be the best-tasting fish in these waters.
Captain Bruce's last-minute availability won't last long – local anglers know a good opportunity when they see one, and spots fill up fast when weather and fishing conditions align. This charter gives you access to productive inshore waters without the typical advance booking requirements. You'll fish with an experienced captain who knows how to find fish and put you on them consistently. The boat accommodates up to six anglers comfortably, making it perfect for family groups or friends looking to split costs. Contact Captain Bruce directly to check availability and secure your spot. Bring your enthusiasm for fishing, and he'll handle the rest – from finding the fish to making sure everyone has a great day on the water.
Captain Bruce's fully equipped motorboat is your ticket to prime inshore fishing spots around Apalachicola's productive waters. This 6-person vessel comes loaded with everything serious anglers need – a top-notch fish finder to locate schools of speckled trout and redfish, GPS navigation to hit those honey holes, and radar for when morning fog rolls in off the Gulf. The VHF radio keeps you connected to other boats sharing intel on where the pompano and triple tail are biting. What sets this charter apart is the boat's comfort features for longer fishing days. Air conditioning keeps you cool between fights with tarpon, while the onboard bed, shower, toilet, and full kitchen mean you can stay out longer chasing that perfect catch. Whether you're working the grass flats for reds or drifting structure for triple tail, this well-appointed vessel handles Apalachicola Bay's shallow waters with ease while keeping your group comfortable and focused on filling the cooler.
Trachinotus CarolinusPompano are the ultimate prize for their size - most run 1-3 pounds but fight like fish twice their weight and taste even better. These silver beauties cruise our Gulf beaches and bay mouths hunting shrimp, crabs, and mollusks in the sandy bottom. Summer and fall are best before they head to deeper water for winter. What makes them special is that buttery, rich meat that commands top dollar in restaurants. They travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. The challenge is their small mouths - you need small hooks and baits. Live sand fleas or small shrimp work great, but here's my local secret: small yellow or orange jigs bounced along the bottom near sandy areas will trigger strikes. Work them slow and be ready - these little torpedoes will scream drag when they feel the hook.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the prize of our offshore trips, though we sometimes find smaller ones in deeper inshore waters around structure. These bottom dwellers average 1-2 feet and under 10 pounds, but can grow to 35+ pounds. They're true fighters that'll run straight for cover trying to cut your line on rocks or debris. The meat is outstanding - mild, nutty flavor that's restaurant quality. Season runs May through October when they're spawning and most active. We target them around hard bottom, ledges, and any kind of structure in 30-200 feet. Fresh cut bait like cigar minnows or squid works great, but live pinfish will get you the biggest fish. Here's my tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't give them slack to run to structure. Get them up and away from the bottom quickly, or they'll wrap you up every time.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most reliable inshore targets, running 14-24 inches and typically 1-5 pounds. They love our grass flats and shallow bays, especially around structure and drop-offs. The bite really picks up at dawn and dusk when they move shallow to feed on shrimp and small baitfish. What guests love about specks is they're scrappy fighters that also make excellent table fare - white, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill. During cooler months, they school up in deeper channels, making for some fast action. Summer and fall are prime time around Apalachicola's flats. They're pretty cooperative on live shrimp under a popping cork, but here's my local trick: work your bait slow and let it sit still for a few seconds between pops. Specks often hit on the pause, not the movement.
Megalops AtlanticusThese silver kings are the ultimate bucket list fish - averaging 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds, though some giants push 8 feet and 280 pounds. What makes tarpon special isn't just their size, but their aerial show when hooked. They'll jump 10 feet out of the water trying to throw your hook. Around Apalachicola, we find them in shallow coastal waters and estuaries from late spring through summer. They're strictly catch-and-release due to their slow growth and importance to the fishery. The meat's full of bones anyway, so it's all about the fight. My tip: when they jump, bow to the king - drop your rod tip to give them slack, or they'll use that jump to snap your line. These prehistoric fish have been around 125 million years and can live over 50, so treat them with respect.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our coolest inshore oddities - they look like floating debris until you get close. These chunky fish average 2-13 pounds and have this unique habit of laying on their sides near weed lines or floating structure, mimicking dead leaves. They're surprisingly acrobatic for such a bulky fish and put up a great scrap. Best part is the meat rivals red snapper for taste - firm, white, and delicious. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're cruising near the surface around Apalachicola Bay. The trick is sight fishing - once you spot one, be sneaky. Cast well past them and work your bait back slowly. They spook easily if you plop a lure right on their head. Live shrimp or small crabs work great. Watch out for those razor-sharp gill plates when handling them - learned that one the hard way.
Apalachicola